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Grand Theft Parsons
2003
The world of rock & roll is littered with casualties who have only found fame posthumously. One of the most famous cases is that of Gram Parsons. Erstwhile member of The Byrds and The Flying Burrito Brothers, Parsons also eked out an impressive--in terms of music, as opposed to sales--solo career for himself. A great friend and .. Read more
| Starring | Johnny Knoxville, Christina Applegate, Robert Forster |
|---|---|
| Director | David Caffrey |
| Genres | Comedy, Drama |
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Grand Theft Parsons
The world of rock & roll is littered with casualties who have only found fame posthumously. One of the most famous cases is that of Gram Parsons. Erstwhile member of The Byrds and The Flying Burrito Brothers, Parsons also eked out an impressive--in terms of music, as opposed to sales--solo career for himself. A great friend and drinking buddy of Keith Richards, Gram's heartfelt songs may have fallen on deaf ears during his short lifetime, but his lasting influence helped spawn the country-rock genre. His drug-related death at the Joshua Tree Inn in California on September 19th, 1973, forms the basis for this tale. Only 26 years old at the time, Gram had made a pact with his road manager Phil Kaufman (played here by JACKASS star Johnny Knoxville) to burn his corpse in the desert if he succumbed to the early death that so many of his talented predecessors had succumbed to.
The absorbing tale of Kaufman's unusual race to complete his deed form the basis for GRAND THEFT PARSONS, with director David Caffrey using many of the original locations in which the act took place. A touching story of friendship, loyalty and trust, this is one of the most unique rock & roll tales ever committed to film.
| Starring | Johnny Knoxville, Christina Applegate, Robert Forster |
|---|---|
| Director | David Caffrey |
| Studio | LIONS GATE HOME ENTERTAINMENT |
| Run time | DVD: 1 hr 25 mins Watch now: 1 hr 25 mins |
| Certificate | DVD: , Watch Online: |
| Genres | Comedy, Drama |
| Language | DVD: English Watch Online: English |
| Released | DVD: 20 Sep 2004 Watch now: 08 Aug 2009 Production year: 2003 |
| Watch now | £2.49 |
| Format | DVD |
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Critics' reviews (6)
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Jackass stunt-show star Johnny Knoxville plays his first leading role in this spirited and endearing black comedy drama. Based on a true story that really is stranger than fiction, the low-budget charmer charts the bizarre road trip one man took in the name of friendship. Ruggedly charismatic while sporting a hangdog expression, Knoxville feels entirely authentic as Phil Kaufman, the maverick road manager of cult 1970s US country singer Gram Parsons. Having made a pact with Parsons prior to the performer's untimely death, Kaufman steals the coffin and heads out to the desert to cremate the corpse according to his buddy's final wishes. Michael Shannon is hilarious as the hippy hearse-owner who inadvertently becomes Kaufman's partner in crime, while a bitchy Christina Applegate adds sass as a fictional gold-digging ex of Parsons. Wittily scripted and lovingly directed, the film skilfully balances irreverence and sentiment. With a strong soundtrack providing additional flavour, it's a full-bodied tribute to human loyalty that's destined for cult status.
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Amiable low-budget road movie, based on a bizarre actual happening, that captures a carefree outlaw spirit.
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Most helpful member's review
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6 out of 6 people found this review helpful
Laid-back road movie fun
Not knowing much of the output of Gram Parsons, the 70s country/rock muso whose body is stolen in the film, I was pleased to find that at heart this is an easy-going road-movie that recalls the doper attitude of films such as "Easy Rider". Johnny Knoxville, best known for MTV's "Jackass", excels in his first acting role and most of the film's pleasure comes from his interaction with the laid-back hippy whose is his unwilling road-mate.
It's not a very serious film, but for it's short running time it's great fun and an enjoyable waste of time, which is exactly it's intention. For myself, I plan to seek out some more of Parson's music on the strength of the excellent soundtrack and I am looking forward to what Knoxville does next.
If you're a fan of road movies such as "Five Easy Pieces" and the aforementioned "Easy Rider" then give it a try - this one is so laid back it's almost prostrate. And that's no bad thing in this age of CGI and ever-increasing spectacle. -
Most recent members' review
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1 out of 1 person found this review helpful
poor representation to a great story
the story that provides the platform for this film is a genuinely intriguing tale which i have read of before. the film was done in a showboating manner that relied on jonny knoxville hamming it up and showing us that he has no aptitude for acting. he's in the dukes of hazzard, for chrise sakes! very disappointing.
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